The British period drama has long been a success, with the likes ofPride and PrejudiceandWuthering Heightstwo of the most iconic stories in literary and screen history. In recent times, the genre has been just as triumphant, with no series more influential than Shondaland’sBridgerton. Debuting on Christmas Day in 2020, the series took the world by storm with millions flocking to see the romantic and often racy lives of the nobility of early 1800s London.
Now about to enter its third season’s second half, and given the sheer triumph of the first,lovers of the series are waiting patientlyto find out what lies in store, and just how this dramatic third outing will finish. With Season 2 introducing new characters and blossoming love stories, Season 3 has instead worked with a brewing relationship that has been on the minds of viewers for some time, namely that of Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin (Luke Newton). With that in mind, and with trailers giving fans their firstglimpse at what eye-catching wonders lay ahead, here is a look at the cast and characters ofBridgertonSeason 3.
Bridgerton
Set in the glamorous world of Regency London, the Bridgerton family maneuvers through the opulent and treacherous landscape of high society. Daphne Bridgerton, the family’s eldest daughter, enters the marriage market, sparking a whirlwind romance with the enigmatic Duke of Hastings.
Nicola Coughlan
Penelope Featherington
The star ofBridgerton’s third season, and already a fan-favorite, Penelope Featherington has so far been a side character, although her dotingadmiration of Colin Bridgerton hasn’t gone unnoticed. In Season 2, Penelope agreed with Eloise that marriage was a waste of time, but not without difficulty, with her true feelings towards the joining of partners in holy matrimony ready to blossom in Season 3. In Season 3 Part 1, Penelope grabbed confidence by the horns and rode it into the romantic sunset, with her burgeoning relationship with Colin only threatened by her the potential reveal of her secret alter ego, Lady Whistledown.
Over the last 6 or so years,Nicola Coughlan’s rise to stardom has been well documented, all starting with herbreakout role in the hit comedyDerry Girls. Her performances inBridgertonso far have been highly appreciated, with her starring role in the upcoming third outing more than deserved. Not only that but Coughlan isset to appear alongside Nucti Gatwa and co in the 2024 Christmas Special ofDoctor Who.
Luke Newton
Colin Bridgerton
Just like Penelope,Season 3 ofBridgertonis giving another one of its side characters the spotlightin the form of Miss Featherington’s love interest, Colin Bridgerton. In Bridgerton’s first season, Colin is actually engaged to Marina (Ruby Barker), with that particular romance ending swiftly following Marina being pregnant with another man’s child. Season 2 saw Colin finally move on from the whole debacle, leavingSeason 3 open for a new enticing romance. That romance comes in the form of Penelope, with the newly dubbed ‘Polin’ facing a dramatic start to romantic life in Season 3, Part 2.
Although his filmography is short, including appearances in the likes ofMr Selfridge,The Lodge, andThe Cut,Bridgertonmarks Luke Newton’s biggest role to date, with his upcoming starring role in Season 3 likely to be the birth of the most successful period in his promising career.
Claudia Jessie
Eloise Bridgerton
If there’s one thing that has been made clear in Bridgerton Seasons 1 and 2, it is thatEloise is not a fan of marriage. A forward-thinking contrarian, Eloise avoids the difficulties that come with 19th century marriage, instead preferring to spend time with her best friend, Penelope. However, Season 3 begins where Season 2 left off, with arift between their friendship desperately needing to be mended. With Season 3’s second half on the horizon, Eloise will have an almighty part to play, with therecent Part 2 trailerrevealing that she might spill the secret about Lady Whilstledown after all, throwing love into bitter jeopardy.
With an on-screen career that has only lasted 12 years to date,Claudia Jessiehas packed plenty in, with her filmography brimming with credits. From appearances in the likes ofLine of DutyandCall the Midwifeto her role as Kira in theDoctor Whoepisode “Kerblam!",Jessie’s career continues to go from strength to strength.
Hannah Dodd
Francesca Bridgerton
One particularly eye-catching shake-up to theBridgertoncast comes in the form ofHannah Dodd, whotakes over the role of Francesca Bridgerton from Ruby Stokes. Despite not appearing much in the first two seasons, Francesca promises to be a much more pivotal component to the plot of Season 3, with this set to be her first season on the hunt for a partner. In Part 1, Francesca looks to be the talk of the town, with Queen Charlotte picking her as her Diamond. Will this manifest into romance, and possibly even marriage, in Part 2?
Despite being just 28 years old,Dodd is a bright addition toBridgerton’s ensemble, with the actress no stranger to Netflix projects, having previously appeared in the likes ofEnola Holmes 2andAnatomy of a Scandal. Beyond Netflix, Dodd has also appeared in the likes ofFighting with My Family,Find Me in Paris, andPandora, as well as receiving a small part in Marvel’sEternals.
Jonathan Bailey
Anthony Bridgerton
Season 2 saw Anthony Bridgerton take the spotlight alongsideSimone Ashley’s Kate Sharma, with their risqué hunt for love capturing the hearts of audiences. Now taking a backseat for Season 3,Anthony will be ready to start a family with the love of his life.
There is perhaps no brighter star on British television right now thanJonathan Bailey, with his ability toseamlessly move between soft tragedy and cutting comedyalways catching the eye. Beyond appearances on-screen in the likes ofPhoebe Waller-Bridge’sCrashing,Broadchurch, andFellow Travelers, with the latter winning him aCritics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor, it is the stage that has seen Bailey’s greatest success, winning anOlivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role forCompany.
Simone Ashley
Kate Sharma/Bridgerton
Alongside Anthony Bridgerton, Kate Sharma, now Kate Bridgerton, provided the leading lady role in Season 2 of the show. With Season 3 marking a step back for Kate, her mind will be on their attempts to conceive an heir. Based on Season 3, Part 1, everyone’s former favorite pairing are thriving in marital life.
A rising star with an enormous pedigree, Simone Ashley is one of Netflix’s greatest successes, having made beloved appearances in bothBridgertonandSex Education. Not just a star of the small screen, Ashley’s film career has been more than successful so far too, including appearances in the likes ofThe Little MermaidandDetective Pikachu.
Golda Rosheuvel
Queen Charlotte
There is no character in the entirety ofBridgertonquite like Queen Charlotte, highlighted by the show’srecent spin-off made in the character’s honor. Poised and elegant, her addition to Season 3 ofBridgertonwill make many happy, with the show certainly not the same without her. So far, Queen Charlotte initially struggled to pick a Diamond in Season 3, throwing all of society into disrepute. Luckily, her eye was caught by Francesca, with Queen Charlotte’s reputation certainly in tact.
An actress with a fantastic career in her rearview mirror, including a small role in the firstDune,Golda Rosheuvelshows no signs of slowing down, with her role as Queen Charlotte just the tip of her talented iceberg. Recently, it was excitingly announced that Rosheuvel would be the next member of theBridgertonensemble to joinDoctor Who, with herset to play the role of Jocelynin Gatwa’s first full season as the titular Time Lord.
Adjoa Andoh
Lady Danbury
A mainstay since Season 1, thebiting Lady Danbury is never short of giving her opinion, with her wisdom perfectly partnered by her cutting remarks. Often in the role of Cupid, her matchmaking was in full swing in Season 2, with her penchant for picking the perfect couple ready to appear once again in Season 3.
A legend of British television,Adjoa Andohhas appeared in a plethora of iconic British screen brands, fromEastEnderstoDoctor Who. Her film career has also been somewhat successful, with her most beloved role coming as Barbara inClint Eastwood’sInvictus. Not just a star of the screen, Andoh has also appeared on stage for both the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre.
Sam Phillips
Lord Debling
The gentlemanly Lord Debling is one of Season 3’s best suitors, with him even taking the eye of Penelope. After a marriage proposal between the two ends in flames, Part 2 could offer romantic solace in the form of Cressida (Jessica Madsen).
Truly talented,Sam Phillipshas been part of some of recent British media’s biggest franchises, shining in bothBridgertonand as Equerry inThe Crown. Elsewhere, Phillips portrayed George in the recentEmbers, a project that has been highly critically acclaimed.
Part 1 ofBridgertonSeason 3 debuted on Netflix on May 16, with the second part arriving on Thursday, June 13.Watch on Netflix
